Councilmembers present: Donald MacGilvra, Alan Kiest, Peggy Gerdes, Carolyn Armanini, Dwight Thompson (6:15 p.m.), Mary Jane Goss, Nate Herzog
Staff present: David R. Hutchinson, Mayor; Douglas Jacobson, City Administrator; Michael Ruark, City Attorney; Frank Zenk, Director of Public Services; Joyce Papke, Finance Director; Sarah Phillips, Government and Community Relations Coordinator; Susan Stine, City Clerk; Evelyn Jahed, Deputy City Clerk
Others present: Four visitors
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor David Hutchinson called the meeting to order at 6:10 p.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
• Real Estate Matters
The meeting was recessed to executive session at 6:10 p.m. for discussion of real estate matters for approximately one hour.
At 7:10 p.m., the executive session was extended for approximately 15 minutes for continuation of the discussion of real estate matters.
The executive session was concluded at 7:25 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Hutchinson called the study session to order at 7:32 p.m. He noted that an executive session to discuss real estate matters for approximately 15 minutes has been added to the agenda.
PUBLIC HEARING
• Initiative 695
Mayor Hutchinson opened the public hearing on Initiative 695 at 7:33 p.m.
Richard Yukubousky, Executive Director of Municipal Research Service Center, gave a brief history on the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax. He discussed the process for setting tax rates, rate increases and sales tax equalization. He noted that should Initiative 695 be approved, the effective date would be January 1, 2000. He discussed the fiscal impacts and gave a brief overview on how this will affect state and local governments as well as the impact it would have on elections. He noted that the status of the personal property tax is being studied.
Finance Director Joyce Papke referred to her Sept. 16, 1999 memo regarding the financial impacts of Initiative 695 in the year 2000 which was distributed to council and discussed the highlights of that memo. She said that if Initiative 695 passes in November, then the city of Lake Forest Park would lose approximately $1.4 million to $1.5 million of revenue the first year. She stated that approximately $1.3 million of the $1.4 to -$1.5 million would be lost from the general fund that represents about 28% in the year 2000.
In response to a question from Cmbr. Herzog, Papke discussed R-49 appropriations for the future years if Initiative 695 is approved and the schedule for distribution of these funds.
Yukubousky gave a brief summary of what experiences other states, specifically Virginia and California, have had where the motor vehicle excise tax has been successfully challenged and how each state handled this reduction of revenue.
Ed Sterner, 3836 NE 189th Pl., said he is very thankful that council is paying attention to this issue and encouraged council to pass a resolution in opposition of this initiative. He encouraged council to look at all the possible revenues for the city and to take actions so that the city will not need to dismantle services and programs that are currently being provided. He expressed his support for the council as they deal with this very difficult issue.
There being no further comments, the public hearing on Initiative 695 was closed at 8:13 p.m.
NEW BUSINESS/DISCUSSION
Resolution 564/Opposing Initiative 695
Cmbr. Armanini moved to adopt Resolution 564/Opposing Initiative 695.
MacGilvra seconded.
A five-minute recess was taken at 8:15 p.m.
The meeting was resumed at 8:23 p.m.
Cmbr. Thompson moved to amend Resolution 564 to include any grammatical changes proposed by Cmbr. MacGilvra. Armanini seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Herzog moved to amend as follows:
Page 1, line 24: "...potential results would
may include: a reduction of police officers…"
Armanini seconded.
In response to a comment fromThompson, Herzog said his reason for this amendment is that council has not made such policy decisions yet.
MacGilvra said he concurred with Cmbr. Thompson's reservations regarding this amendment.
The motion to amend carried 4-2 (Aye-Armanini, Kiest, Gerdes, Herzog; Nay-MacGilvra, Thompson). (Goss absent from vote)
Armanini moved to amend as follows:
Page 1, line 28: "...fees and services is excessive
substantial, and..."
Herzog seconded. The motion to amend carried unanimously.
Herzog moved to amend as follows:
Page 1, line 39, add the following:
WHEREAS "I-695 would be contrary to the intent of three previously approved measures by the voters of Washington, namely Initiative 601, Referendum 47, and Referendum 49."
Armanini seconded. The motion to amend carried unanimously.
The motion to adopt Resolution 564/Opposing Initiative 695 as amended carried unanimously.
Cmbr. Kiest suggested that we consult with the city attorney on publicizing this resolution.
• King County Transit Request for Diamond Lane Usage/SR 522
City Administrator Jacobson distributed the results of two studies and noted it is for informational purposes only. Lane usage is restricted currently to outbound peak hours only by agreement. Bus operators had asked if this lane could be used during non-peak hours. Jacobson said prior to taking this to the council, he asked if this would increase transit reliability and decrease travel time and would there be a noise impact. He said the results indicated that transit reliability would be increased and travel time decreased, and noise would not be a factor.
In response to a question from Jacobson, Thompson suggested that Sheridan Beach residents be informed that this matter is under discussion and to give them 30 days to comment.
Gerdes said that Kenmore has already approved this and noted that pollution reduction is a secondary benefit.
Kiest stressed the importance of involving Sheridan Beach residents in this discussion and requested that property owners on the north side of Bothell Way be included also.
Armanini said she supports the targeted invitations to comment on this but we have to make a point to get them pertinent information for their review. She said an added benefit of the proposed change might be reduction of the inappropriate use of the lane by drivers turning onto side streets.
Kiest said the Department of Transportation should be requested to re-stripe the diamond lanes if this is approved by the city.
In response to a question from Herzog, Jacobson said the timing of the stop light signals at the Ballinger Way and Bothell Way intersection is already under review.
Gerdes said a meeting was held with Phil Miller of Alta Engineering, Bill Moritz and City Administrator Jacobson and Director of Public Services Zenk, and a letter is being sent to King County Councilmember Maggi Fimia requesting that she organize a group to study the Burke Gilman Trail issues.
• WCIA Loss Summary
Jacobson shared information on Washington Cities Insurance Authority (WCIA) loss summary and discussed various items included in the report.
In response to Kiest, Jacobson discussed the indemnity payments and legal expenses that have been paid by WCIA on claims made to the City of Lake Forest Park.
In response to questions from Thompson, Zenk discussed sanitary sewer claims and sidewalk issues. Zenk noted that a sidewalk inventory has identified areas where maintenance is needed and a rating system and plan is in place.
In response to questions from councilmembers, Jacobson said he will review open insurance claims in a brief executive session later in the meeting.
• Ordinance 790/Budget Amendments
Jacobson said that the first proposed budget amendment has been held and will be combined with the second amendment and done under Ordinance 790.
Jacobson said that Director of Public Services Frank Zenk has prepared information for the budget amendment related to the interlocal agreement with the city of Kenmore for public services. He discussed the line item adjustments and reviewed the reasons for the changes. He noted that the Kenmore interlocal agreement will increase revenue by $17,000. The staff engineer position has not been filled, and he proposed to reduce the salary line by $15,000 and place that amount in Professional Services because staff of the city's engineering firm has been used rather than filling the staff engineer position.
Thompson noted that the anticipated revenue from the interlocal is not shown and requested that the meeting minutes show the information regarding the adjustments.
• Street Fund
| •Salaries as adopted | $90,415. |
| Proposed revision | –15,000. |
| Kenmore interlocal | +17,000. |
| $92,415. |
| •Professional services | +$15,000. |
In response to a question from Thompson, Jacobson said a public hearing regarding the budget amendments will be scheduled for the October 14, 1999 regular council meeting.
Frank Zenk reported that request for qualifications have been received for improvements to the proposed vicinity of Northeast 170th and SR 522. Jacobson noted that verbal approval has been received from the Regional Council for use of Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) monies for this project.
Armanini requested that this project be coordinated with other proposed SR 522 improvements to ensure compatibility.
Mayor Hutchinson noted that the next item on the agenda is an executive session for approximately 30 minutes to discuss open insurance claims and real estate matters. Those not required to remain for executive session exited the council chambers at this time.
A three-minute recess was called for at 9:17 p.m.
The meeting was resumed at 9:22 p.m.
• EXECUTIVE SESSION
The meeting was recessed to executive session at 9:23 p.m. for discussion of insurance claims and real estate matters.
The meeting was resumed at 9:39 p.m.
A five-minute recess was called for at 9:40 p.m.
The meeting was resumed at 9:44 p.m.
The meeting was recessed to executive session at 9:45 p.m. for approximately 15 minutes for discussion of real estate matters.
At 10:05 p.m., the executive session was extended for approximately 20 minutes for continuation of the discussion of real estate matters.
The meeting was resumed at 10:20 p.m.
• Real Estate Services Contract
MacGilvra moved to authorize the mayor to sign a contract with New Ventures Group for real estate services.
Armanini seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no objection, the meeting was adjourned at 10:24 p.m.
APPROVED:
Council Study Session and Public Hearing
September 16, 1999
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